Chapter 116
Chapter 116: First Encounter
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"Yes, two level-1 students. Their names were... I think one of them was called... what was it again?"
Damn.
Dropping the ball at a crucial moment, I couldn't quite remember that fire boy's name... Who would pay attention to what some fool is called anyway.
I immediately looked at Sophia for help. She understood what I wanted to do and spoke up right away: "Peter."
"Right, right." I nodded repeatedly. "Peter. And there was another one, not sure about him... but he used Thunder Order. This morning..."
"This morning, we were all very scared."
Perhaps thinking I was speaking too slowly, Sophia seemed anxious. She stepped forward and took over what I was about to say.
"Even though those two were also new students, with the lightning and flames crackling everywhere, they looked really formidable. After bumping into someone, they wouldn't let us leave..." She embellished the situation from that time, and while speaking, secretly gave me a thumbs up from behind. Then without even blinking, she started lying: "Later we heard Peylo say she was friends with you... Sorry about that, please don't blame her. She was really scared at the time and just wanted to borrow your name to avoid getting bullied... Plus, being late means running 20 laps..."
Cautiously lifting her eyelids and seeing that Alex didn't show any displeasure but rather seemed somewhat pleased, Sophia felt relieved and continued speaking.
"But... I don't know who those people are, but they didn't seem to buy it at all. They even said something... said something..."
Her hesitant manner made Alex's expression darken.
"What did they say?"
"...You won't hit us, will you?"
"I won't."
"Oh." Sophia nodded. "Actually, I can't remember everything specifically. Those two said a lot of things, like 'Alex's reputation in the circle is already ruined' and 'who would still be afraid of that kind of guy,' some things I didn't understand either. I just felt their attitude was terrible and was very scared..."
At this point, she paused.
"We really don't know him... Fortunately a teacher came later, and they finally... But what they said at the time was really unpleasant. My heart is still hanging even now, wondering if they'll come looking for us again. So we agreed that if that happens, we'll strike first and then find a teacher... That's why..."
Her voice grew quieter and quieter toward the end.
Alex nodded silently. No obvious emotional fluctuations could be seen on his face. After a while, he turned his gaze to me and asked: "Peylo, is this how it was?"
He still didn't forget to build rapport, even omitting "Miss" from how he addressed me. Although I felt disdainful inside, I wouldn't say anything more at this point.
"Yes, that's how it was." I tilted my head and thought again. "If you don't believe me, you can ask... but they definitely won't admit it."
At this moment, I heard someone nearby speak up.
"Alex, it might be that kid from the Reckmond family."
"I remember there's someone called Peter with Flame Order... seems like he did enroll this year."
"Mm, I know."
His face was heavy with thought, not sure what he was thinking... But it's none of my business. His target has probably already shifted. Just brush him off with a few more responses and slip away.
I turned to look at the person I had knocked down. After a brief unconsciousness, he had now woken up and was sitting on the ground looking left and right, appearing confused about the situation.
He seemed fine though. I had held back considerably, at most his nose would hurt for about 10 days to half a month.
After pondering for a while, Alex spoke again.
"About today's matter..."
Just then, from not far to the side, a clear and gentle voice came through, seemingly calling toward this direction: "Girls over there."
Everyone turned their heads.
What first caught the eye was a pure white hem of clothing gracefully falling with the wind.
At the edge of the curb stood a woman dressed as a nun, elegant and refined with sleeves like white silk. She had her hands crossed and placed at her abdomen, standing gracefully like gentle water.
"Could you come help me out?"
Sarah's eyes lit up: "It's Sister Theresa!"
"Um..." Sophia's eyes rolled, and she grabbed my hand, giving Alex a slight smile. "Sister Theresa is calling us, we'll head over now~"
Without waiting for Alex to say anything more, she quickly pulled my hand and walked toward the other side of the road. Sarah and Daisy also hurried to follow, taking two steps at a time to reach the nun.
Looking at her pleasant smile, all three girls appeared relieved.
"Are you all new students this year?" Sister Theresa asked.
"Yes, yes!"
"That's right, Sister Theresa..."
The girls seemed nervous.
Different from the nervousness they felt toward Alex earlier, what they showed now was that kind of excitement yet helpless confusion one feels when meeting an idol. As if wanting to say something, but when the words reached their lips, they couldn't squeeze out a single word, not even knowing where to put their hands.
This behavior was most obvious with Sarah, her anxious feelings written all over her face. Of the three, only Sophia remained relatively calm.
She performed a curtsy to Sister Theresa.
"Thank you, Sister Theresa."
Sister Theresa shook her head with a light laugh.
"Just call me Theresa or Teacher. I'm not any kind of 'Sister' really."
As she shook her head, from within the black head covering, a strand of silver hair flew out and stuck to the corner of her mouth, which she then gently hooked with her pinky finger and brushed over her ear.
Just one casual little gesture, yet it made my heart flutter slightly.
So elegant... Every movement exuded a comfortable gentleness. This woman didn't need to do anything, just standing here, she could make people feel refreshed like a spring breeze.
Even though she didn't look particularly beautiful and was already past 30.
"Teacher Theresa, I often see you in the Church Herald!" Sarah excitedly clenched her fists, her eyes revealing an admiring glow. "I know you've received the Peace Medal and the Chrysler Glory Medal! I also know you're the diplomatic envoy of the royal city, and they call you the White Feather... I saw you this morning! I've also read that book you wrote, 'Love's Sorrow,' where it says..."
I bet if this world had an awareness of autographs, Sarah would desperately want Theresa to sign her name on her equally barren chest.
"Alright, alright~" Theresa patted Sarah's head and pointed to the small stone path ahead. "Don't rush, let's walk first."
"Okay!"
After taking two steps and turning back, I found that Alex and those people had already walked away in another direction.
"What were you all talking about with those people just now?"
"Uh... well, actually it wasn't much..."
"Were they bullying you?"
"Mm... a little, but we didn't suffer any losses."
"That's good. If there's nothing else, hurry back to the dormitory and don't have too much contact with them."
"Okay! We understand, Teacher Theresa."
"Teacher Theresa, can I ask you a question?"
"What question?"
"Everyone says... that your Faith Power is so strong you could make the silver-leafed Aisha trees on Yahama Mountain bloom all over the mountain. Is that true?"
"Haha~" Theresa covered her mouth and laughed softly. "That's not true. Even His Holiness the Pope couldn't do that."
Sarah seemed disappointed upon hearing this.
"So rumors really are lies."
"Well... I wouldn't say that. Oh right, what are all your names?"
"I'm Sarah!" "Sophia, greetings Teacher." "...Daisy."
Theresa turned her head and cast her gaze toward me.
"Little sister, what about you?"
Beneath her curved brows, her sapphire-blue eyes somehow reminded me a bit of Carlos.